The Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), Dr. Rabiu Olowo, has called on newly inducted estate surveyors and valuers to maintain the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism as they begin their careers.

Dr. Olowo made the remarks at the recent induction ceremony for new members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) in Lagos, an event symbolizing the continuation of a long-standing tradition of excellence in the profession.

He urged the inductees to produce valuation reports that can withstand scrutiny from auditors, regulators, investors, and courts. “Valuation is dynamic. Markets evolve, standards change, and regulatory expectations shift. Continuous learning is crucial. Uphold ethics, avoid conflicts of interest, document assumptions rigorously, and challenge unreliable information,” Olowo said.

The FRC boss emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, noting that estate surveyors play a critical role in national development. “Your assessments will influence decisions on loans, investments, mergers, insurance claims, and government asset management. Accuracy is compulsory, integrity is demanded, and negligence has consequences,” he added.

Dr. Olowo highlighted the significant investment by the FRC in building professional capacity, including the Nationwide Training Tour on Valuation for Financial Reporting, which engaged over 1,000 professionals across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna. The Council has also developed and distributed the Valuation for Financial Reporting Guide at no cost to professionals.

He noted that the Directorate of Valuation Standards within the FRC not only supports professional growth but also regulates valuation practices, ensuring compliance with standards expected of a modern, transparent, and credible economy.

Speaking on the partnership between the FRC and NIESV, Dr. Olowo said, “Our collaboration has produced the Valuation for Financial Reporting Regulation, a landmark framework that will soon become law. Compliance will be binding and essential for the acceptability of valuation reports in financial statements.”

Dr. Olowo concluded by reminding the new inductees that they are entering a profession that carries legal, financial, and reputational responsibilities. “You are becoming custodians of trust, and your work will shape decisions that impact the economy and public confidence,” he said.

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The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has inducted 539 new members, urging them to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards in the real estate industry.

The induction ceremony, themed “Transition To Professional Membership: Upholding Integrity And Creating Value Through Service Delivery”, highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability, and global awareness in estate surveying and valuation.

Victor Alonge, President and Chairman of the Council of NIESV, stressed the need for knowledge acquisition and continuous professional development.

“Our profession is not a trading occupation; it is service-driven. Knowledge is our stock in trade. Members must practise according to ethics and standards to deliver value,” Alonge said.

He highlighted the Mandatory Continuous Professional Development Programme as a key platform for career growth, encouraging new members to leverage it for expertise and upward mobility.

Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of NGX and Chairman of the Day, emphasized integrity, fair pricing, and investor trust as essential for strengthening Nigeria’s financial and real estate sectors.

“Induction reinforces a commitment to a profession that not only serves the built environment but strengthens the financial framework of our nation,” Kwairanga stated.

Dr. Rabiu Olowo, Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council, urged inductees to embrace truth, transparency, and accountability, noting that compliance with evolving standards is critical to maintaining public trust and credibility.

“Equip yourselves with the knowledge, discipline, and ethical grounding to remain relevant. Truth and integrity must guide your work,” Olowo said.

Bisi Onasanya, CEO of The Address Homes Ltd and guest of honour, highlighted perseverance as a key attribute for professional success.

The ceremony reinforced the NIESV’s role in shaping a skilled, ethical, and accountable real estate workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s property sector growth.

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Abuja’s history in urban development demonstrates the complex tension between professional ethics and the exercise of authority.

Over the years, senior Town Planners in the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) have faced dismissal—either for alleged breaches of the city land use plan or for strictly upholding professional ethics.

Dependingon the disposition of the FCT Administration at any given time, adherence to the law could be punished, while violations could be rewarded.

Understanding Professional Ethics in Town Planning

Professional ethics consist of moral principles, values, and standards guiding behavior within a specific profession.

For Town Planners, these guidelines ensure integrity, accountability, and transparency in managing land, infrastructure, and community development. Strict adherence to professional ethics is essential to safeguard Abuja’s urban landscape and the rights of residents.

Historical Examples of Ethical Challenges in Abuja

Late Tpl. Sabo Ago, pioneer Director of Land Planning and Survey in the FCDA and later National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, exemplified ethical resilience.

When a minister requested the allocation of a plot on Maitama Hill (Minister’s Hill) that violated the Abuja Master Plan, Ago refused to process the request. Despite following proper procedures, he was removed from office for upholding professional ethics.

Similarly, violations at Wuse Zone 5 Neighbourhood Park along Accra Street led to severe administrative consequences for planners who improperly approved residential and commercial plots on land designated as green space. Successive administrations had to revoke allocations and demolish structures to restore the park.

The Dilemma of Compliance vs. Intimidation

Today, compliance with professional ethics can still be risky. Town Planners who uphold regulations often face intimidation or removal, while those who ignore rules may receive political favor.

However, history shows that ethical professionals eventually receive recognition and reward. Late Tpl. Sabo Ago went on to serve as Resident Electoral Commissioner in two states, and Late Engr. Abdulkadir A. Kure, another principled officer, later became Niger State Governor.

Modern Examples of Ethical Integrity

The immediate past Director of the Urban and Regional Planning Department, Tpl. Yahaya Abubakar, and the immediate past Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, were removed by the Wike Administration for adhering to rules and professional standards.

Despite the political pressure, their resilience underscores the enduring value of ethics in public service.

Lessons for Current and Future Town Planners

The history of Abuja’s planning system serves as a critical lesson: professional ethics must guide decision-making, even under pressure from authority. Young and current officers are urged to maintain integrity, resist intimidation, and uphold Abuja’s development standards.

Ethical persistence ensures not only personal credibility but the long-term sustainability of the city’s growth.

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The Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) has said that Nigeria can significantly reduce insecurity if government and stakeholders adopt smarter, technology-driven land management systems nationwide.

Speaking at the board’s 2025 Annual Valuers Assembly in Lagos with the theme, “50 Years of Regulatory Excellence: Golden Legacies and Brighter Tomorrow,” former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), said that poor planning, unchecked slum expansion, and weak land administration have contributed to urban crime and instability.

Buratai noted that many Nigerian cities are still characterised by unplanned settlements that lack roads, drainage systems, recreational spaces, schools, and essential public infrastructure—conditions that fuel insecurity.

He said liveable, organised urban environments naturally deter criminal activities because they promote healthier living conditions and stronger community structures.

According to him, estate surveyors and valuers are central to tackling the problem because they help governments and communities design, regulate, and maintain orderly land-use systems.

“Government cannot deliver safe and liveable cities without the input of estate surveyors and valuers. When communities are properly laid out—with roads, pavements, schools, markets, hospitals, recreation centres—people live better and crime reduces,” he said.

The Acting Chairman of ESVARBON, Prof. Terzungwe Dugeri, said that regulating the profession has become even more critical in a globalised, tech-driven world.

He warned that as the economy transforms, surveyors are frequently pressured to compromise standards, making ethical regulation essential.

He stressed that the board is adopting digital tools, virtual platforms, and modern technologies to strengthen monitoring, registration, and quality control.

“Technology has changed our practice. We must embrace it while upholding the highest ethical standards. All eyes are on estate surveyors and valuers,” he said.

Also speaking, the Registrar of ESVARBON, Janet Shehu, emphasised that practitioners must fully embrace digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, to remain relevant and deliver accurate, transparent services.
She said the board expects strict adherence to ethical codes as it works to modernise the profession and support national development.

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Town planners across Nigeria have been encouraged to strengthen professional ethics, deepen technical competence, and adopt modern technologies to enhance planning practice and support sustainable national development.

This call was made by former President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Nathaniel Atebije, during the inauguration of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON) in Abuja.

Atebije, delivering a paper titled “Flawless Professionalism: The Soul of Enduring Practice in Urban and Regional Planning,” said ethical discipline, institutional memory, and continuous learning remain the backbone of credible planning practice.

Professionalism as the Anchor of Planning

He described professionalism as the conscience of the urban planning field, noting that planners must combine competence, civic responsibility, and integrity to guide the complex socio-spatial development of cities.

According to him, “Flawless professionalism is not about perfection but about consistently maintaining technical accuracy, ethical conduct, and moral clarity.”

Atebije emphasised that planners serve not only as development technicians but also as moral stewards responsible for shaping cities that balance justice, efficiency, and aesthetic value. He warned that without strong ethical foundations, urban planning risks becoming bureaucratic or profit-driven, with little regard for the public interest.

Ethics, Competence, and Integrity

He identified competence, integrity, and service to society as the three essential pillars of lasting planning practice.
He added that institutional memory— the preservation of professional knowledge— is vital in preventing the erosion of standards and policy inconsistency.

Atebije also stressed that planners must navigate competing interests such as growth versus conservation and private investment versus collective welfare, using sound judgment and ethical imagination.

ATOPCON’s Role as Innovators

Speaking on the mandate of ATOPCON, he described the association as the entrepreneurial engine of the planning profession, urging it to lead new innovations, uphold ethics, train young professionals, and collaborate with regulators like TOPREC and NITP.

He called for:

•  Mentorship structures
•  Continuous professional development (CPD)
•  Strong peer-review mechanisms
•   Documentation of practice experience
• Innovation labs for digital planning and sustainable design

Driving Abuja Toward Smart-City Status

In his welcome remarks, ATOPCON President Hakeem Badejo challenged the Abuja Branch to champion emerging technologies that will position Abuja as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

His targets include:

• Proposals on AI for governance
• Exploring Web3 tools for urban management
• Planning models for automated vehicles and eVTOL mobility
• Regenerative slum redevelopment strategies

‘A Long-Overdue Step for Abuja’

Coordinator of the new ATOPCON branch, Dr. Emmanuel Agbator, described the inauguration as overdue, noting that Abuja—despite its rapid and complex development—had long lacked an ATOPCON structure.

He assured that the branch would work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to improve planning outcomes and strengthen urban governance in the FCT.

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The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has called on recent graduates, students, and early-career professionals in the construction sector to embrace mentorship and continuous skill development to strengthen their foundation in the industry.

Speaking during his investiture ceremony in Abuja, the newly inaugurated President of NIOB, Daniel Kolade, said his tenure will prioritise innovation, research, and professional capacity-building to prepare the next generation of builders for a rapidly evolving construction landscape.

Kolade noted that the future of the profession depends on how well young practitioners are equipped with ethical values, technical competence, and leadership abilities.

He added that the Institute will roll out targeted programmes to improve their entrepreneurial capability and broaden their understanding of modern construction practices.

“We plan major investments in innovation and research, with emphasis on entrepreneurship, regulatory updates, ethics, and advocacy initiatives that shape policy within the Institute,” he said.

Kolade also revealed that NIOB will deepen collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and training institutions to expand skills acquisition, competency certification, and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

He further disclosed plans to grow the Institute’s ongoing partnership with the Nigerian Correctional Service to support skill development programmes that promote rehabilitation, empowerment, and national reintegration.

Chairman of the event and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, commended NIOB for promoting professional excellence. He called for stronger policies that reward competence and ethical standards across the construction sector.

Mustapha warned against increasing professional rivalry in the industry, stressing that overlapping roles contribute to poor project delivery and building failures. “The problem in the building industry is that everyone wants to do everything. Architects want to function as engineers, engineers want to double as architects, and surveyors want to take on all roles. This is wrong,” he said.

He urged professionals to respect boundaries, collaborate, and recognise that each discipline plays a crucial role in ensuring safety, quality, and sustainability in the built environment.

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